What is iCloud Keychain? How to use iCloud Keychain on Windows

iCloud Keychain, Apple’s password manager, can be used on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, as well as computers with Windows operating systems. However, the Windows version of iCloud Keychain is slightly different from the Mac. How is iCloud Keychain used on Windows computers? we are telling.

What is iCloud Keychain?

iCloud Keychain is Apple’s password management system. With the password manager, your online account logins (account names and passwords), card numbers, and WiFi passwords are securely stored on your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even Windows devices and synced across all iCloud-enabled devices.

Password management tools such as 1Password and LastPass offer an easy way to use passwords on multiple devices, passwords are synchronized periodically and we can always access our current passwords from any device. If you’re into the Apple ecosystem, you’ve probably heard of Keychain, the company’s password storage system.

Although Apple limited the password manager to its own hardware and operating system for a while, it later expanded it to the Windows platform, and now Windows PC users can use Keychain as well. However, like Apple’s other apps, iCloud Keychain works differently on Windows and Mac. Reaching the password in the Windows version is not as easy as it is on Mac and iPhone. So, what kind of differences does iCloud Keychain present on Windows?

iCloud Keychain Windows

The password manager, which is called iCloud Keychain (iCloud Keychain) in Apple’s operating system, appears as iCloud Passwords (iCloud Passwords) in Windows. Keychain is integrated into Apple’s own operating systems; i.e. part of macOS, iOS or iPadOS. In this way, it is much easier and hassle-free to manage passwords on Apple devices. This is not the case on Windows.

The Keychain is not integrated into the system, let alone the setup process. You can access your passwords stored in the Keychain, either through a browser or through a special app. Also, you cannot use the passwords stored in Keychain anywhere on Windows. Not as feature-packed as macOS and iOS. What does it mean? You cannot access the things you need like your credit card information, notes, WiFi passwords from Keychain in Windows. You can see records of website addresses, usernames, passwords, and when they were updated. Fortunately, this problem can be fixed.

Setting iCloud Passwords on Windows computer

Before installing iCloud Passwords on your Windows computer, make sure iCloud Keychain is enabled on your Apple ID. If it’s not enabled, you may have trouble syncing your passwords.

How to open iCloud Keychain? (iPhone)

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Follow the iCloud – Keychain path.
3. Turn on iCloud Keychain.

How to open iCloud Keychain? (Match)

1. Click the Apple icon.
2. Click System Preferences.
3. Go to Apple ID – iCloud – Keychain.

You need to enable two-factor authentication for iCloud Keychain. If you’re using the device for the first time, Apple recommends you turn on two-factor authentication for your account, but you can turn it on or off later.

Turn on Apple ID two-step verification (iPhone)

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Choose your name and tap “Turn on two-factor authentication”.
3. After pressing Continue, enter the phone number you want the verification codes to come from.
4. Tap Next and then enter the verification number you received on your phone/tablet.

Turn on Apple ID two-step verification (Mac)

1. Click the Apple icon.
2. Enter System Preferences.
3. Click Password & Security under your name.
4. Click Turn on next to Two-factor authentication.

You can now proceed to set iCloud Passwords on Windows.

How to upload iCloud Passwords?

Installing iCloud Passwords on Windows computer in 5 steps:

1. Open iCloud for Windows. (Available for download from Microsoft store)
2. Sign in with your Apple ID. (You may need to go through two factor authentication)
3. Check the box next to Passwords, then click Apply.
4. Install extensions for Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. (optional)
5. Click Close after the installation is complete.

See iCloud Keychain passwords

If you’re a Mac user, you’re familiar with Keychain Access, a tool that gives you deep access to system keychain data stored internally as well as related data synced with iCloud. You can find all your saved passwords by searching “Keychain Access or Keychain” on Spotlight.

You can find it in Windows by searching for iCloud Passwords from the Start menu. When you open the application, you will see that it is not as detailed as macOS. All synced passwords are in the left-hand column of the app, displaying the website and usernames for each. If you choose, you can access details such as when the password was last synchronized and the websites used.

Passwords are not visible by default, but you can see them when you hover. In the upper right corner of the application, below the window controls, you will see three icons. The leftmost icon opens the panel that allows you to update the password. Second, it lets you copy username, password and website to clipboard. All three icons allow you to delete selected credentials from iCloud Keychain for all devices associated with your Apple ID.